Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian stocks surged on Wednesday, buoyed by Wall Street gains after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested potential reductions in trade tariffs against China. His remarks sparked investor optimism, despite lingering uncertainty over China’s stance.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led regional gains, each climbing between 1.7% and 2%, while the TOPIX and South Korea’s KOSPI rose 1.8% and 1.4% respectively. The tech sector saw the strongest rebound, benefiting from bargain hunting after recent losses. Australia’s ASX 200 jumped 1.6% on strength in mining and financials, and Singapore’s Straits Times index added 0.7%. U.S. futures also gained, with S&P 500 Futures up 1.4% in Asian trade.
Trump’s remarks about eventually lowering tariffs from the current 145% level—echoed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called the trade war “unsustainable”—fueled hopes of a policy shift. This boosted risk appetite across global markets, especially in Asia.
However, mainland Chinese stocks underperformed. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 remained flat to slightly lower, reflecting investor caution. Trump noted any deal with Beijing would depend on China returning to the negotiating table, yet Beijing has shown little indication of conceding, maintaining retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% on U.S. goods.
Concerns over China’s economic outlook persist. Bank of America downgraded its 2025 GDP forecast for China to 4%, well below the government's 5% target. Multiple brokerages have issued similar downgrades, citing risks from prolonged trade tensions. Still, analysts expect Beijing to ramp up domestic stimulus efforts to cushion the economy.
Despite mixed signals, Wednesday’s rally highlighted market sensitivity to U.S.-China trade dynamics, with hopes that easing tensions could stabilize Asian equities.
